NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans will host a public information meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at the Omni Royal Orleans, Grand Salon, 621 St. Louis St, at 6:00 p.m., to inform French Quarter residents about a measure on the Saturday, October 24 ballot that will provide long-term funding for State Police and other public safety services in the French Quarter. Representatives of the Mayor’s office, New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and Louisiana State Police will be on hand to answer questions.
On Saturday, October 24, French Quarter area residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed Economic Development District (EDD) to enhance public safety for the area. Should voters approve the measure, the sales tax on goods and services (excluding hotel stays) sold in the proposed district will increase 0.2495%, which equates to an additional quarter for every $100. The sales tax is expected to generate approximately $2 million annually and would help fund Louisiana State Police troopers and other public safety measures throughout the French Quarter. These funds would be generated overwhelmingly by tourists. There would be a five-year sunset provision on the tax, with the option for renewal pending voter approval at expiration.
The boundaries of the EDD would match those of the French Quarter Management District, which are the Mississippi River; the center line of Canal Street; the rear property line of properties fronting on the lake side of North Rampart Street; and both sides of Esplanade Avenue.
The $2 million in proceeds of the Economic Development District, if passed by the voters in the district, would be matched by long-term commitments in funding from hospitality organizations to create a pool of at least $4.5 million to fund enhanced public safety efforts by the Louisiana State Police.
View the Economic Development District fact sheet here
